Messi Has Never Played England Before. The World Cup Semifinal Changes That.

Lionel Messi has played 32 World Cup matches. He has scored 21 goals and handed out 10 assists. He has faced Germany, France, Brazil, Nigeria and just about everyone else on the planet’s biggest stage. But England? Never. Not once. Not until Wednesday.

That changes when Argentina meets England in the 2026 World Cup semifinals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The game kicks off at 3 p.m. EST. The winner goes to the Final. The loser plays for third place. It’s that simple. And Messi can’t hide how much he’s looking forward to it.

“Facing England will be special,” Messi said, via Fabrizio Romano. “It’s my first time playing against England. I’ve played against just about everyone except them … They are a great team, a football powerhouse, it’s always exciting to face opponents like that.”

At 39, this is probably Messi’s last shot at back-to-back World Cup Finals. He led Argentina to the title in 2022. That run included a wild final against France that ended with Messi lifting the trophy. Now he’s one win away from getting another crack at glory. But England stands in the way. And England is not a team you just walk through.

This tournament has been historic even by Messi’s absurd standards. He has eight goals and two assists so far this summer. Those numbers push his all-time World Cup totals to 21 goals and 10 assists — the most combined goals and assists in tournament history. And he keeps adding to that tally at an age when most players are watching from a broadcast booth or a beach.

Why This Matchup Matters More Than Most

Messi has played against top European teams in World Cups before. He faced Germany in the 2014 final and lost. He played France in the 2018 round of 16 and lost again. He beat France in 2022. But England is a different kind of obstacle. They’re young, they’re deep, and they have something to prove after falling short in recent tournaments.

Argentina is the defending champion. England has not won a World Cup since 1966. One of these teams will keep its dream alive on Wednesday. The other will fly home disappointed. There’s nothing complicated about it.

Messi made his World Cup debut in 2006 at 18 years old. He was a kid with insane potential. Now he’s the oldest player to post the kind of numbers he’s posting in a single tournament. That longevity alone is hard to wrap your head around. Most athletes can’t sustain elite-level performance for two consecutive years. Messi has done it for almost two decades.

What’s at Stake Against England

If Argentina wins, Messi gets another chance to play for the biggest prize in sports. If Argentina loses, he’ll play in the third-place match and then probably never play in a World Cup again. That’s the reality for a 39-year-old forward. You don’t get many more of these chances.

Messi said he’s excited. He should be. But he also knows what’s on the line. England has been waiting for a moment like this. Argentina has been waiting to prove 2022 was not a fluke. Wednesday will tell us a lot about both teams.

Kickoff is at 3 p.m. EST. Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Semifinals of a World Cup. Messi vs. England for the first time ever. That’s about all you need to know.